Ionian weather Sept/Oct

[ruthhobson]

Hi
I am trying to book our first sailing holiday and I am looking at a flotilla (northern Ionian). Work commitments mean we would be looking at going late Sept/early October - the other half is concerned about the weather, he is worried it might be a little late in the season. Any comments or advice would be appreciated.

Thank you, Ruth.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

September October I have been and had great weather once and then hale once.

Early September i have been three times and always had great weather. I was out there Sept 11 last year.
I think in general I find it is a bit breezier and it can get quite windy. It is shorts and t shirt weather but pack a fleece and a light waterproof. There are plenty of short hops so you need not be stuck out on deck for long trips if it does rain. It is not as warm at night so long light long troosers and jumper are required if you feel the cold.
The water is still lovely and warm I cannot remember if some places where shut but we never had trouble finding somewhere to eat.

Basically you have to take a chance. I had one week when it was windy and wet for three days, but as they say a bad day on the water still beats a day a good day in the office. I didn't go with friends this week this year cos i was fed up of no wind in June and drifitng around or motoring. I phoned them last night and they had F6 gusting 7 flying along in a big cat with 3 reefs in on Thursday. Consequently I am now having a big sulk and trying to blame the girlfriend for not going. ( The girlfriend is not rising to this argument)

In October it depends how much you like sailing and how much you want to sunbathe but have a boat to sunbathe on. I would do it again.



If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

 

[tcm]

Re: agreed

I went late oct last year. Warm enough to swim, and the flotilla is not very ambitious so we plonked off on our own. October, a fair number of places shut but not enough to spoil things.

If it's sunsail...

Hint 1: take a little light with cigarette lighter adapter and long long lead, or er steal one from sunsail in the caribbean, ahem. Something, anyway, bit windproof, else blimming pitch black after 6pm - No streetlights cos a) no streets and b) it's greece

Hint 2: They want the boats back the nite before leaving but the blimmin plane doesn't go till the next evening. So make sure you have a good stock of drinks in cans else bar bill for last day = bar bill for previous week at elevated sunsail prices. Also if it's nice weather go in really late else there's a queue.

Hint 3: If you go to Ithaka, try and insist insist on going to the town, and not to the dump in the corner of the bay a mile out of town where the flotilla has a tame greek mate with a restaurant who feeds the lead crew for free.

Hint 4: be careful before saying "this pilot book by R Heikell is a bit useless cos the drawings have no scale, and there's not much pilotage!" cos the sunsaily lot seem to think that he is an absolute god, and not that he researched each place in ten minutes.

Otherwise it will be fine. Well, it might chuck it down for a day or so, but also it can be nice and warm. Think of it as a really decent UK summer week - light waterproofs, shorts and trousers for the flight each way. No, there's nowhere even in the least teensy bit smart, except the UK airport at each end.

 

[hugh_nightingale]

Re: agreed

Apart from the fact that I would have found it too hot July/August, temperature was fine in October when we went (some time ago). The odd shower so take lightweight waterproof. Greek weather forecast was wrong everyday.

We went with Sailing Holidays, most excellent. No axe to grind here, I found them very helpful and friendly. They said phone up for a chat so I did. Talked to the girl for some time before I said "now, what about these holidays". The pilot book they supplied was super, can't remember the name.

To add to hints: if with [censored] you will probably have to pay for all your diesel, take extra cash. They seem to enjoy the same reputation there as here.

There was no pressure to use designated tavernas except going with the flow for two group evenings. Oh, and one night when there was only the one but isn't that the beauty of the place.